Grace of Christ Presbyterian Church
Head Pastor — Bill Williamson
sorrow and guilt and shame, who comes to realize that God is not only with her, but that He sees her in the mess, and she gives Him a new name: “You are the God who sees me.” Even more importantly, as she battled her unworthiness, she says: “I have now seen the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:13
Fix Your Eyes
Enlighten the Eyes of My Heart
“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 Dear Grace of Christ Family, Our Ash Wednesday Service on February 26th will begin the Season of Lent. As we gather together on Sunday mornings in March and April, we will be looking at what it means to “fix your eyes.” Yes, we are to fix our eyes on Jesus and give Him our complete attention while we put our trust in Him who has saved us. We are also to “fix our eyes” in the way that we see those around us. We need to fix our physical eyes and pay attention to those who intersect our lives. We also need the eyes of our heart to fill us with compassion for those who need Christ.
God’s love is unfailing. He sees us, knows us, and we are able to see and know Him. As Paul wrote, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” – Ephesians 1:18 The gift, of having the eyes of our hearts enlightened, enables us to see others through the eyes of God. As David discovered, God does not look at our outward appearance, but He does look at our hearts. As He transforms us, we are called to see with eyes like His. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” – 1 Samuel 16:7
God Sees and Cares for Us
Seeing with eyes of compassion can begin with the truth that God has His eyes on us, that He sees us, because we are the “apple of His eye.” “But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.” – Psalm 33:18-19 If we ever wonder if God even notices us, or cares about what we are going through, there are plenty of examples in Scripture that remind us that He is the “God who sees us.” It is Hagar, alone in the desert, isolated, filled with
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Lenten Devotional
As a help for all of us to fix our eyes on Jesus, and to see others with the eyes of Jesus, there is a Lenten Devotional booklet available to you (for a $3 donation, if you are able). Use it to “fix your eyes” on Jesus throughout the 40 Days of Lent. Use it with your husband or wife, with your family and with your friends to help one another begin to have clearer vision in 2020.
Ya k i m a G r a c e . c o m
Because of Christ, and in His love, – Pastor Bill
